The sun peeked through the tinted RV windows as the group slowly stirred awake. After a long and emotionally charged journey, no one had slept peacefully, but they were ready for answers.
They stepped out into the morning chill, stretching and groaning, and walked toward Julia's house. From the outside, it looked ordinary a brick cottage tucked behind overgrown ivy and enchanted roses but once inside, the air changed.
The house hummed with life.
Magical energy danced through the walls. The chandelier above sparked with glowing orbs, and ancient books floated across shelves. The group stood in awe until the house began revealing itself to them.
Zoey froze as a shimmer of light appeared in front of her. In it, a vision: a younger version of herself laughing and holding hands with a boy her brother. His face was blurry, but her heart recognized him instantly. The vision faded before she could reach out.
Jace staggered back slightly, clutching the wall. He could hear his mother's voice gentle, calming calling his name. "Be strong, Jace," it whispered. His eyes burned.
Mya turned away from the group, shielding her face as she saw shadows form into her old vampire coven. The ones who turned their backs on her. The ones she once considered family. They hissed her name. But she stood her ground.
Jada's eyes darted around warily, fists clenched. But she didn't see anything. Instead, she muttered under her breath, "Creepy house."
Julia appeared from deeper within the hall, her long silver locks flowing behind her. "The house shows you only what you need to see," she said cryptically. "Welcome."
They followed her into a massive study filled with glowing runes and floating scrolls. She gestured for them to sit.
"There is an ancient evil," she began, her tone solemn. "It feeds on hybrids like you, Zoey. It's called The Hollow One a being born of shadow and cursed blood. And it's coming to your world."
The room grew cold.
"I'll help you," she continued, "but not unless you agree to what must come next. Training. Mental, magical, and physical. You won't survive otherwise."
Zoey looked at her friends. Jace. Alina. Mya. Jada. Each nodded.
Julia's eyes glinted. "Then let the trials begin."
She summoned a wave of energy that wrapped around Zoey, drawing her into a meditative state. "You must enter your own mind," Julia said, "and face the darkness you've been hiding from."
Jace was pulled into a circle of runes. "You," Julia told him, "must prove you're more than rage. Loyalty and restraint will be your strength."
The other three girls were guided into a mirrored hallway, where they'd face illusions of their worst fears alone.
Hours passed. Screams. Silence. Breakthroughs.
By nightfall, the group was exhausted but stronger and for the first time in a long while, united.
Then Julia returned with someone new.
"This is Riven," she said. "My nephew. Part dragon. He's been helping me prepare for war."
Riven was tall, bronze-skinned, with glowing eyes that shifted color like molten metal. He gave Zoey a smirk and sat beside her without hesitation.
"You're the hybrid everyone's talking about," he said, his voice smooth like velvet. "You're stronger than you think."
Jace narrowed his eyes, a low growl rising in his throat. Jealousy flared. Zoey didn't look at him.
The tension was back but the war was just beginning.